Wrench having box type pivotable jaws ratchetable on workpiece



M y 17, 1 M. MANN WRENCH HAVING BOX TYPE PIVOTABLE JAWS RATCHETABLE 0NWORKPIECE Filed March 25, 195:

INVENTOR.

ATTORN EY.

United States Patent WRENCH HAVING BOX TYPE PIVOTABLE JAWS RATCHETABLEON WORKPIECE Morley Mann, Chicago, 111.

Application March 23, 1953, Serial No. 343,918

4 Claims. (CI. 81-91) My invention relates to wrenches.

An important object of my invention is to provide a wrench whichconsists of a handle pivotally mounting two complementary jaw elementson axes which are laterally spaced from a longitudinal axis of thehandle and which are oifset along said axis and adapted to work looselyabout a nut when the wrench is moved in one direction, and which isfurther adapted to tighten the nut when the wrench is moved in theopposite direction.

Another important object of my invention is to provide a wrench of theaforementioned character which is composed of complementary jaw membersadapted to grip nuts of various shapes.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a wrench of theaforementioned character wherein the complementary jaw elements areretained normally in closed position by spring means.

A still further object of my invention is to provide in a wrench of theaforementioned character spring means for normally maintaining one ofthe jaw elements in open position, the other of said spring meansmaintaining the complementary jaw element normally in closed position.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a wrench of theaforementioned character provided with locking means for maintaining thecomplementary wrench jaws in open position until released.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a wrench of theaforementioned character which is simple in construction, eifective inits use and operation, and one of such simple, elemental design andconstruction as to permit economical manufacture thereof in quantityproduction.

Other objects and advantages inherent in my invention will becomeapparent from an examination of the accompanying drawings, bearingfurther elucidation in the ensuing description, wherein like symbols areused to designate like parts, and in which:

Fig l is an elevational front view of my invention normally in closedposition.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing the locking meansmaintaining the complementary jaw elements in open position and showingportions thereof in section in order to more clearly depict thestructure of the wrench jaw elements.

Fig. 3 is a top view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of the head portion of the wrench comprisingmy invention, showing how the jaw elements are separated so as to slipabout a nut when the wrench handle is swung in counterclockwise rotationas indicated by the dotted lines, or how the wrench head will grasp thenut when the wrench handle is swung in a clockwise direction, asindicated by the full lines and the arrow designated 42.

Referring to the various views, my invention is generally designated 5and consists of a handle 6 which is suitably knurled so as to beconveniently gripped in the palm of the hand. The handle 6 is providedwith an enlarged head portion 7, and a tongue portion 9. A

2,703,384 Patented May 17, 1955 saddle portion 8 is provided on the headportion 7 on which the locking means is mounted. On the tongue portion9, it will be noted that the same is cut out at 10 and 11 in order tofurnish clearance for pivotal movement of complementary jaw elements 17and 15. Both of said jaw elements are provided with angular notchedportions 18 and 16 of hemispherical configuration so that the same whenclosed will form the composite polygonal configuration adapted to holdsquare or hexagonal nuts.

It will also be noted that the tongue portion 9 is provided with arounded clearance portion 12, and that pins 13 and 2t articulatelysupport respectively, the jaw and the jaw 17, said pins 13 and 20forming axes which are laterally spaced from a longitudinal axis of thehandle and which are offset along said axis. The jaws are urged toclosed position, as indicated in Fig. l, by a spring 21, which isfastened to the head portion 7 by means of a screw 22, the complementaryjaw 15 being held open by a spring 27, unless overpowered by the spring21, when the latter is flexed so as to hold it in readiness for snappingthe jaws 17 and 15 closed about a nut 37 whenever a locking means 29 isreleased.

The locking means 29 is provided with a locking portion and a shoulderportion 36 which will engage a bottom ledge 41 of the jaw 17. The jawswhen held in the closed position are so held by the spring element 21,and the ability of the complementary jaws 17 and 15 to grab a nut 37when the wrench handle is swung in a clockwise direction is madepossible by a shoulder 41) on jaw 17 engaging an inner corner on theforward end of jaw 15, while the jaws grip a nut 37 for rotation.

T he locking means 29 is provided with a knurled portion 34 so that itcan be manipulated by the thumb, and is caused to ride on the saddle 8heretofore mentioned. The locking latch 29 is provided with a slottedguide portion 30 terminating in an offset slotted portion 31 andreceiving longitudinally aligned rivets or guides 32 and 33. When thelatch 29 is in the position illustrated in Fig. 1, the slotted portion30 is guided and held in alignment by means of the bodies of the rivets32 and 33, the heads maintaining the latch 29 in assembly.

The rearmost guide rivet 33, when the locking latch 29 is moved forwardto operative or locking position as indicated in Fig. 2, will enter theofiset slotted portion 31 and hold the wrench in locked position untilit is placed about the peripheral portion of a nut 37 to be engaged bythe complementary jaws 17 and 15. As shown in Fig. 2, the wrench is inposition preparatory to grasping the nut 37, and by moving the lockinglatch 29 to the position indicated in Fig. l, the jaws are released tograb the nut 37. Then the wrench handle is oscillated in the directionof arrows 42 in order to tighten or loosen the nut, depending on whichside face of the wrench is applied toward the nut.

The spring 21 has a curled lip 23 at its free terminus operatingslidably in a groove 24 in the jaw 17; likewise the spring 27 isprovided with a curled lip 26 operating in a groove 25 of jaw 15. Screws22 and 23 secure the springs 21 and 27 to the head 7. The jaw 17 isequipped with a bifurcated portion 19 straddling the tongue portion 9,and the jaw 15 is provided with a bifurcated portion 14 straddling thetongue portion 9.

In Fig. 1, it is presumed that when the wrench handle is swung in aclockwise direction it will thread the nut onto a stud if they haveright-hand threads. If the wrench were inverted with respect to theposition indicated in Fig. 1, clockwise movement of the wrench handlewould loosen the nut 37.

To operate the wrench, it is set as indicated in Fig. 2, and placedabout a nut, the locking latch 29 then being released, so that thespring 21 overpowers the spring 27 a and the jaws of course straddle thenut 37 and then are allowed to grasp the nut, by moving the lockinglatch 29 'to its inoperative position.

While the invention has been herein described in its preferred form itis to be understood that it is not limited 7 to the specificconstruction herein shown and that it may be practiced in other formswithout departing from the claimed scope thereof.

Having thus described and revealed my invention, what 1 claim as new anddesire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A wrench adapted to grip adjustably varied shapes of units whenrotated in one direction and further adapted to slip on said units whenrotated in a contra direction, comprising a handle provided with a headportion and a tongue portion, a pair of complementary jaw elementsarticulately secured to said tongue portion by pivot means, said pivotmeans being disposed on axes laterally spaced from a longitudinal axisof said handle and being offset along said axis, primary spring meanssecured to one side of said head portion and pressing against one of isaid complementary jaw elements, and secondary spring means secured toanother side of said head portion and pressing against the other of saidcomplementary jaw elements.

2. A wrench adapted to grip adjustably varied shapes of units whenrotated in one direction and further adapted to slip on said units whenrotated in a contra direction, comprising a handle provided with a headportion and a tongue portion, a pair of complementary jaw elementsarticulateiy secured to said tongue portion by pivot means, said pivotmeans being disposed on axes laterally spaced from a longitudinal axisof said handie and being ofiset along said axis, primary spring meanssecured to one side of said head portion and pressing against one ofsaid complementary jaw elements, secondary spring means secured toanother side of said head portion and pressing against the other of saidcomplementary jaw elements, a saddle portion on said head portion, andlocking latch means mounted on said saddle portion and engageable withone of said jaw elements to hold the latter in open L position.

3. A wrench adapted to grip adjustably varied shapes of units whenrotated in one direction and further adapted to slip on said units whenrotated in a contra direction, comprising a handle provided with a headportion and a tongue portion, a pair of complementary jaw elementsarticulately secured to said tongue portion by pivot means, said pivotmeans being disposed on axes laterally spaced from a longitudinal axisof said handle and being ofiset along said axis, primary spring meanssecured to one side of said head portion and pressing against one ofsaid complementary jaw elements, and secondary spring means secured toanother side of said head portion and pressing against the other of saidcomplementary jaw elements, said primary spring means urging said onejaw element to operative position, said secondary spring means urgingsaid other jaw element to inoperative position, said-primary springmeans being capable of overpowering the efiects of said secondary springmeans.

4. A wrench adapted to grip adjustably varied shapes of units whenrotated in one direction and further adapted to slip on said units whenrotated in a contra direction, comprising a handle provided with a headportion and a tongue portion, a pair of complementary jaw elementsarticulately secured to said tongue portion by pivot means, said pivotmeans being disposed on axes laterally spaced from a longitudinal axisof said handle and being oifset along said axis, primary spring meanssecured to one side of said head portion and pressing against one ofsaid complementary jaw elements, secondary spring means secured toanother side of said head portion and pressing against the other of saidcomplementary jawelements, and interlockable edges on both saidcomplementary jaw eiements, said edges making contact for interlock onlywhen said wrench is swung to efiectively grip and rotate one of saidunits.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS771,451 Ashworth Oct. 4, 1904 797,662 Cornell Aug. 22, 1905 1,924,393Beery Aug. 29, 1933 2,476,369 Gutowski July 19, 1949 2,537,838 LoganJan. 9, 1951 2,591,788 Day Apr. 8, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 355,522 GermanyJune 28, 192 2

